This Award is designed to recognise, reward and inspire outstanding contributions to the work of the coach industry by individuals in support roles at coach operating companies and other bodies involved in the industry.

Support roles cover the provision of administrative, accounting, legal and systems support – a frequently overlooked but vital part of the industry’s work.Though not directly in the front line of operations or customer service, such roles are nevertheless vital and the industry could not function without the work done.

The winner of this award will have really added value to their function by their efficiency, cheerfulness or sheer hard work – above and beyond the call of duty, i.e. beyond the actions required of the nominee(s) under his or her contract of employment.

Gold Award Winner: Matthew Herbert – Shearings Holidays

Matthew has been head of Commercial and Yield at Shearings since 2007. He has been instrumental in helping the Shearings business through the very tough trading conditions of the last few years, and the judges were really impressed by his insight, professionalism and hard work. Matthew has been instrumental in helping the business, including improving efficiency across several departments. He also successfully created a new department that has yielded proven results, both in terms of efficiency and profitability.

Matthew’s insight, professionalism and hard work are clearly valued by his employer and the judges agreed.

Silver Award Winner: David Bennallack – Excelsior Coaches

David is part of a small team of four reporting to the Traffic Manager and is responsible for keeping our vehicle fleet and driving team on the road 24/7.
David is responsible for scheduling all vehicles and drivers, as well as advising drivers of their forthcoming rotas and going through with them individually the jobs that they are carrying out. He is responsible for vehicle cleaners and all on road driving and vehicle activities.

It is clear that David relishes his role and the judges were impressed by the way he has integrated himself into the Excelsior business. This is even more notable given that he only joined the coach industry in 2011.

David’s enthusiasm has prompted him to learn the wide range of disciplines required to run a successful coach operation. He is a key member of the Excelsior team who is invaluable and will continue to assist the business in the way it operates and build on the strengths developed, but at the same time further improve Excelsior's  overall service delivery to customers and clients - which is key to future success.

Who can be nominated?

This Award was open to all people employed in the provision of support services in coach companies and associated functions, including but not limited to:

•    Administrative jobs
•    Accounting and payroll functions
•    Computer and technological support
•    Engineering functions at supervisory, skilled or semi-skilled grades

Nominees should have been employed in the function for a continuous period of not less than twelve months at 30 September 2013.

… and by whom?

We welcomed nominations from all eligible organisations, both of their own employees and of outstanding staff with whom they work in partnership or as stakeholders. Self-nomination is NOT appropriate for this category. In all cases, the person nominated MUST countersign the entry to confirm their agreement to their name being put forward.